Top Conferences and NCAA Bids

Durantula · November 23, 2013, 11:11:48 AM

there's a 100% (10/10) chance that those numbers are completely made up...

lastguyoffthebench · November 23, 2013, 12:02:51 PM

Quote from: Durantula on November 23, 2013, 11:11:48 AM
there's a 100% (10/10) chance that those numbers are completely made up...

Haha, what about the percentage where.... better teams find ways to win?

Wind does not really affect a good team's ability to keep possession, maintain shape, and adhere to game plan. It can help teams that like to play direct that have true speed.

Rain, on the other hand, kills a teams chances to play direct and use speed (see Montclair St. and Messiah) on the rain soaked field earlier in the year.

Madhatter5 · November 23, 2013, 03:59:53 PM

Quote from: lastguyoffthebench on November 23, 2013, 12:02:51 PM
Wind does not really affect a good team's ability to keep possession, maintain shape, and adhere to game plan. It can help teams that like to play direct that have true speed.

I would have to disagree with you on that point. Wind is one of the worst factors to play in. It can pin a team down when they are going against it and are trying to move the ball up the pitch with a goal kick. Or it can change the direction of a corner kick/ cross in an instant. It makes it easier for an underdog team that has the plan of packing it in against a high possession team.

Rain on the other hand will help those fast teams as the ball will skid more and move a bit faster, as long as it doesn't hit a puddle. That's why you see European teams soaking their grounds before games, to increase the speed.

Ryan Harmanis · November 23, 2013, 06:19:12 PM

Messiah and Kenyon knotted at 1 at the half. Messiah scores early and (unsurprisingly) controls possession for most of the half. Kenyon, however, manufactures a chance or two before they're gifted a goal following a defensive mix-up by Messiah. As a side note, in Kenyon's last trip to the tournament (2010), they lost to Ohio Wesleyan after a centerback/goalkeeper miscue led to an open-net goal for the Bishops, so a little bit full circle.

Messiah's announcers are getting a little touchy at the referee here. Perhaps a missed call or two, but I think it probably better reflects the fact that they're a little tense and uncomfortable with a tie game in the second half.

cciwrabblerouser · November 23, 2013, 06:32:16 PM

The Messiah announcers are an embarrassment to the College. These two yahoos are worse than 'homers,' I'd have to call them 'grand-slammers' in their bias. I'm surprised that Messiah lets them get by with such amateurism.

Ryan Harmanis · November 23, 2013, 06:46:19 PM

Quote from: cciwrabblerouser on November 23, 2013, 06:32:16 PM
The Messiah announcers are an embarrassment to the College. These two yahoos are worse than 'homers,' I'd have to call them 'grand-slammers' in their bias. I'm surprised that Messiah lets them get by with such amateurism.

I think they're just clearly fans as opposed to announcers. It almost seems like their panic has seeped into the team, as Kenyon has easily had the better of the play in the second half. Despite having the benefit of a strong wind, Messiah can't string much together.

Ryan Harmanis · November 23, 2013, 07:02:32 PM

Messiah escapes 2-1 with a last-minute game winner. Kenyon controlled the first 35 minutes of the second half and missed a few chances including an absolute sitter from within 10 yards. Messiah dominated the last ten, had one saved off the line then scored a nice individual goal to advance to the Elite Eight.

lastguyoffthebench · November 23, 2013, 08:06:36 PM

Camden vs York...

York came out with a few decent chances. Camden settled in, began possessing better and getting numbers forward... 2 nice first half goals (first low driven shot side panel from 25 out after a nice build up, 2nd was a volley blast off a corner from about 20 out).

Up 3-0 after a mishap in the back by York.

York made it 3-1 after a ball slipped passed a defender and forward slotted it home from 8yds out.

Camden still attacked/countered... missed 2 sitters and a breakaway later in the game.

PaulNewman · November 23, 2013, 08:13:37 PM

Saw the Messiah game live. Messiah is great team. Best D3 team I've ever seen, and I've seen OWU multiple teams, including this year. Now I haven't seen Rutgers-C, Loras or Amherst live, but Messiah deserves all the kudos they get. That said, Kenyon was very gritty, very injured, and almost pulled out this game. Messiah clearly was beginning to panic and Kenyon had a few great chances to go ahead. Credit to Kenyon for overcoming the start they absolutely could not afford allowing the early goal. It took Kenyon a while to adjust to how good Messiah was, especially Thompson on the left. Kenyon needed to get subs in for the last 10 minutes and Messiah smartly did not sub so Kenyon couldn't get their subs in. Great winning goal by Messiah as Kenyon just couldn't hold them off any longer. Less than 2 minutes from OT and Kenyon would have had the wind in their favor again for the first one.

I have received numerous calls about how horrible the Messiah announcers were and calling Kenyon players thugs and giving no credit at all. I heard the announcers were in a panic, acting as though Messiah is guaranteed to win and it is their right to win. Great field, great setting.

lastguyoffthebench · November 23, 2013, 08:37:51 PM

If you watch Amherst live feed tomorrow... MUTE! haha

Reserved Seat · November 23, 2013, 10:15:16 PM

After reading the tweets from Rose Hulman fans, their supposedly intellect is questioned by their lack of class. Sexual innuendos show the length they will go to do be poor losers.
Messiah should have the advantage of home field and fan support tomorrow.

lastguyoffthebench · November 24, 2013, 09:34:18 AM

Messiah should roll to a 2-0 or 3-0 win today...

Predictions

Amherst 2, Williams 1.
Trinity 2, Loras 1 (OT)
Rutgers-Camden 2, MSU 1.
Messiah 2, F&M 0

Knocking off a team 3x in a season is no easy feat, but the Amherst Seniors have only lost 1 time at home and "0" in their last 40. The records book call it a non-loss, but the Lord Jeffs were knocked out last year and shall get their revenge! They are deserving of a Final Four bid, so good luck to them. Direct style vs possession (game 1); Direct vs possession (game 2 - Montclair St vs Camden, respectively)

I would give all the host teams the benefit of the doubt, but Trinity is still unbeaten "on the road" this season and looks to be in very good form. Will playing the later game last night affect Trinity? I don't think so, but with an impressive GD of 84 (only 8 allowed)... I'm backing the Tigers to head back to San Antonio with a chance to win the National Championship. I believe Loras also only has 1 home last the last 3 seasons. This is going to be a great game!

Rutgers-Camden, much like teams from the NESCAC, are banged up us well. The long NJAC season does affect the players, as I am sure Montclair St is facing the same issue. Rochester was the better team last night in that clash, but couldn't pull out the W. Regardless, 180 minutes of denying the UAA a goal (CMU was only shut out once this season, by Rochester in their 0-0 draw; Rochester was only shutout 1-0 by St. Lawrence and the CMU match). The only time Camden was shut out this season was in the 0-0 draw Homecoming Weekend vs Montclair. Can Montclair deny Camden again from finding the net? Camden has only trailed in two games this season; once for 10 minutes, another for 40 minutes and have only lost once at home in their last 35 matches. I give the nod to Camden to pull this one out and expect the crime rate to increase in San Antonio on the weekend of December 6th.

Messiah is... well, Messiah. Did not catch the Kenyon game, but heard Kenyon played very well. F&M riding 270 minutes of denying a goal, didn't see the games so not sure how much they were tested defensively. Should be something like 25-15 shot count in favor of Messiah, and they will find the net more than once. Book your trip to San Antonio, Falcon fans.

Sirius90 · November 24, 2013, 10:21:17 AM

I was at the RUC game last night as well. I was very impressed with Camden. They were able to handle the York direct high-speed attack and high pressure. I was happy to see good soccer prevail over jungle ball. I'd love to see a Messiah-RUC match.

lastguyoffthebench · November 24, 2013, 10:42:04 AM

It's comical that #25 for Camden was only an All-Conference Honorable Mention... Best player on the field, just about every single game. Great defender, phenomenal +/-, and a true leader.

Sirius, I will be at the game today... most likely the only ahole wearing shorts, siriusly.

Did you happen to see the SLU goal vs Amherst? I have watched a majority of these live feeds, and I would put that half volley blast from Rutgers-Camden as goal of the tournament so far...

Sirius90 · November 24, 2013, 01:00:59 PM

Don't think I can make it today, but if I do, I'll say hi to any numpty wearing shorts

. The volley goal from RUC was the best goal I've seen all year. Had the net not stopped the shot, It would have landed in Philadelphia. The first goal was pretty sweet as well: very little space, and under pressure, the RUC middie one-timed a curving lefty into the lower right corner.